A woman in Los Angeles has gone viral after finding and taking home a piece of the iconic Academy Awards red carpet from a dumpster just hours after the event.
Dumpster dive near Dolby Theatre leads to viral moment
Paige Thalia spotted discarded carpet rolls near the Dolby Theatre—the official home of the Oscars—the morning after the ceremony.
After getting permission, she carried a large section of the red carpet through the streets, documenting the moment on video.
Video explodes online with millions of views
What she expected to be a small, funny clip quickly turned into a viral hit, with one video surpassing 5 million views. The unusual sight of someone walking through Hollywood with the Oscars red carpet captured massive attention online.
Hollywood insiders take notice
Her discovery didn’t just go viral—it caught the attention of people in the film industry, including someone linked to the movie “All the Empty Rooms,” who requested pieces of the carpet for the team.
From waste to statement décor
Now repurposed as a rug in her apartment, the red carpet has become both a conversation starter and a symbol of a unique “only in LA” moment.
What happens to the Oscars red carpet?
Officials say the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences uses recyclable materials for the carpet, with about 95% returned after the event and the rest diverted from waste.